Coach Tommy Sherrill

Coach Tommy Sherrill, 93 of Dalhart, went to sleep Sunday night and woke up in the Land of Glory on Monday, February 10, 2025. Coach's legacy will be celebrated at 1 o' clock in the afternoon on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Central Methodist Church with Rev. Ryan Strebeck leading the celebration. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Military Burial Rites will be provided by the Volleys for Vets of Amarillo.  After the graveside service, the family would like to invite guests back to the church for a time of remembrance and fellowship. Coach Tommy will lie in state from noon until 8 o' clock in the evening on Thursday at the funeral home. Dalhart Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to be entrusted with Coach's Home Going Celebration.

Thomas Henry Sherrill was born on September 17, 1931, to Ural S. and Myrtle Sherrill in the small town of Trent, Texas. He was the youngest of 6 children and the son of a Methodist preacher.

It was fate, or perhaps just the best blind date of his life, that brought him and the love of his life together. The year was 1950, and Tommy had tagged along with his buddy Carl Jowell to Canyon, Texas. Carl was courting a girl from Canyon, and she happened to have a friend, Merle Bullard. That Fourth of July, the four of them packed up for a picnic in Palo Duro Canyon. As evening fell, they headed to Amarillo to catch a movie. By the end of the night, Tommy knew he "kindaliked" Merle, as he would later put it. Lucky for him he was set to attend college in Canyon on a football scholarship, which gave him every excuse to see her on a regular basis. Tommy was a smart man in many ways, but perhaps his wisest decision was made on November 29, 1953, when he married Merle. It was a love story that began with a blind date and lasted a lifetime, a story Tommy never got tired of telling.

Tommy was also proud to have honorably served his country in the United States Army, spending time in Korea during the Korean War. His time in the military shaped his discipline and dedication which were qualities that would serve him well in the years to come.

After returning home from Korea, Tommy found his true calling in coaching. He poured his heart into shaping young athletes, starting his coaching career in Vega before moving on to McCamey and Borger. He invested the last 18 years of his coaching career in Dalhart, where he left a lasting impact on countless students and players. As his career progressed, Tommy transitioned into administration, serving the last six years of his working life as the principal of Allyn Finch Intermediate School. Whether on the field or in the classroom, his leadership and commitment to education never wavered.

Beyond his career, Tommy loved his family dearly and cherished every moment they spent together. Some of his most treasured memories were the summers spent in South Fork, Colorado, where he could enjoy the peace of the mountains and the relaxation of fishing. Those trips became a beloved tradition, filled with laughter, storytelling, and the kind of moments that make life truly special.

Coach Sherrill's faith was undeniable, the foundation of his character, and the reason so many looked up to him. Young men saw him as an exemplary role model, not because he preached, but because he lived his faith with quiet strength. He didn't need to say much; there was a peace about him that spoke louder than words. He led by example, never realizing just how many followers gathered in his footsteps. If only we could count the lives that found Christ because of Coach Sherrill. He was a devoted member of Central Methodist Church for 56 years. He loved serving people, and people loved the conversations they had with him. Whether in church, on the field, or in the community, Coach Sherrill lived to serve and in doing so, he left a lasting impact on everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Merle and one dear grandson Casey Allen Like.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters Beverly Meade, Sandra Heiskell and husband Rick, Susan Handley and husband Steve, his favorite son Randy Sherrill and wife Lori. Grandchildren Sherrill Herndon, James Schallert, Will Handley, Madison Lantelme and Cooper Sherrill. Great grandchildren Joshua Schallert, Patrick Schallert, Emma Herndon, Liam Handley, Caden Lantelme, Baker Lantelme and Maggie Handley.